A teenage girl was found dead of an apparent suicide outside Gibbs High School in Corryton on Thursday afternoon, according to the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

A group of students reported finding the 17-year-old victim at a shed behind the baseball field, according to KCSO spokeswoman Kimberly Glenn.

The investigation is ongoing, and the immediate family has been notified, Glenn said.

The girl was a former student who had withdrawn from Gibbs High School "several weeks ago," Principal Jason Webster said in a message to parents Thursday evening.

"It is with deep sadness that I inform you that a former student has died in an apparent suicide," Webster said in the message. "The student had withdrawn from our school several weeks ago, but the loss of a young person, particularly (for) those who knew the student, is heartbreaking.

"Counselors were at the school late this afternoon and will be available tomorrow as well to provide support for students and staff. I know you will join me in extending our condolences and prayers to the family. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns."

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network encourages anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The free, 24-hour hotline can connect callers with the nearest crisis center.

Alternately, those in crisis can text TN to 741741 to connect with a trained counselor.

TN sees increase in youth, all suicides

Youth suicides, like suicides of all ages, have continued to rise in Tennessee over the past several years. 2017 saw 130 suicides among Tennesseans ages 15-24 and 12 among Tennesseans ages 10-14 — more than deaths from all illnesses combined in those age groups.

Tennessee's 10-to-19-year-old suicide rate hit an all-time high in 2016, with 65 youth in that age range dying from suicide — up from 37 a decade ago. That year also marked the first that firearms overtook all other means for all age groups.

"We are seeing a significant number of youth suicides" in Tennessee, "and we're seeing a significant number of youth using more fatal means," said Amy Dolinky, East Tennessee Regional Director for the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.

"We don't really know the 'why' of it all; there's a lot of reasons," Dolinky continued. "We know that suicide is a very complex issue, and it's never the result of one thing."